A collapsible task list component for displaying AI workflow progress, with status indicators and optional descriptions.

The Task component provides a structured way to display task lists or workflow progress with collapsible details, status indicators, and progress tracking. It consists of a main Task container with TaskTrigger for the clickable header and TaskContent for the collapsible content area.

See scripts/task.tsx for this example.

npx ai-elements@latest add task

Build a mock async programming agent using experimental_generateObject.

Add the following component to your frontend:

Create val
"use client";

import { experimental_useObject as useObject } from "@ai-sdk/react";
import {
  Task,
  TaskContent,
  TaskItem,
  TaskItemFile,
  TaskTrigger,
} from "@/components/ai-elements/task";
import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
import { tasksSchema } from "@/app/api/task/route";
import {
  SiCss,
  SiHtml5,
  SiJavascript,
  SiJson,
  SiMarkdown,
  SiReact,
  SiTypescript,
} from "@icons-pack/react-simple-icons";

const iconMap = {
  react: { component: SiReact, color: "#149ECA" },
  typescript: { component: SiTypescript, color: "#3178C6" },
  javascript: { component: SiJavascript, color: "#F7DF1E" },
  css: { component: SiCss, color: "#1572B6" },
  html: { component: SiHtml5, color: "#E34F26" },
  json: { component: SiJson, color: "#000000" },
  markdown: { component: SiMarkdown, color: "#000000" },
};

const TaskDemo = () => {
  const { object, submit, isLoading } = useObject({
    api: "/api/agent",
    schema: tasksSchema,
  });

  const handleSubmit = (taskType: string) => {
    submit({ prompt: taskType });
  };

  const renderTaskItem = (item: any, index: number) => {
    if (item?.type === "file" && item.file) {
      const iconInfo = iconMap[item.file.icon as keyof typeof iconMap];
      if (iconInfo) {
        const IconComponent = iconInfo.component;
        return (
          <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-1" key={index}>
            {item.text}
            <TaskItemFile>
              <IconComponent
                color={item.file.color || iconInfo.color}
                className="size-4"
              />
              <span>{item.file.name}</span>
            </TaskItemFile>
          </span>
        );
      }
    }
    return item?.text || "";
  };

  return (
    <div className="max-w-4xl mx-auto p-6 relative size-full rounded-lg border h-[600px]">
      <div className="flex flex-col h-full">
        <div className="flex gap-2 mb-6 flex-wrap">
          <Button
            onClick={() => handleSubmit("React component development")}
            disabled={isLoading}
            variant="outline"
          >
            React Development
          </Button>
        </div>

        <div className="flex-1 overflow-auto space-y-4">
          {isLoading && !object && (
            <div className="text-muted-foreground">Generating tasks...</div>
          )}

          {object?.tasks?.map((task: any, taskIndex: number) => (
            <Task key={taskIndex} defaultOpen={taskIndex === 0}>
              <TaskTrigger title={task.title || "Loading..."} />
              <TaskContent>
                {task.items?.map((item: any, itemIndex: number) => (
                  <TaskItem key={itemIndex}>
                    {renderTaskItem(item, itemIndex)}
                  </TaskItem>
                ))}
              </TaskContent>
            </Task>
          ))}
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
  );
};

export default TaskDemo;

Add the following route to your backend:

Create val
import { streamObject } from "ai";
import { z } from "zod";

export const taskItemSchema = z.object({
  type: z.enum(["text", "file"]),
  text: z.string(),
  file: z
    .object({
      name: z.string(),
      icon: z.string(),
      color: z.string().optional(),
    })
    .optional(),
});

export const taskSchema = z.object({
  title: z.string(),
  items: z.array(taskItemSchema),
  status: z.enum(["pending", "in_progress", "completed"]),
});

export const tasksSchema = z.object({
  tasks: z.array(taskSchema),
});

// Allow streaming responses up to 30 seconds
export const maxDuration = 30;

export async function POST(req: Request) {
  const { prompt } = await req.json();

  const result = streamObject({
    model: "openai/gpt-4o",
    schema: tasksSchema,
    prompt:
      `You are an AI assistant that generates realistic development task workflows. Generate a set of tasks that would occur during ${prompt}.

    Each task should have:
    - A descriptive title
    - Multiple task items showing the progression
    - Some items should be plain text, others should reference files
    - Use realistic file names and appropriate file types
    - Status should progress from pending to in_progress to completed

    For file items, use these icon types: 'react', 'typescript', 'javascript', 'css', 'html', 'json', 'markdown'

    Generate 3-4 tasks total, with 4-6 items each.`,
  });

  return result.toTextStreamResponse();
}

• Visual icons for pending, in-progress, completed, and error states
• Expandable content for task descriptions and additional information
• Built-in progress counter showing completed vs total tasks
• Optional progressive reveal of tasks with customizable timing
• Support for custom content within task items
• Full type safety with proper TypeScript definitions
• Keyboard navigation and screen reader support